Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Rolls Royce: Finance

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total funding they have given to Rolls-Royce this year for their operations in the UK; what is the purpose of any such funding; and what additional funding they have offered.

Lord Callanan: The Government’s financial support for Rolls-Royce is provided via various routes, including support for their exports and research and development (R&D) in areas such as civil aerospace, civil nuclear, and defence. This year, the Government’s support has included funding through the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility and a partial guarantee by UK Export Finance of a 5-year, £2 billion commercial term-loan facility. One of the Government’s key funding streams is through Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation. For the 2019/2020 competition year of the Aerospace Technology Institute programme, Rolls-Royce have had grant offers totalling £63,374,303 to support total project costs of £143,203,408. This money will be paid out across the life of the projects.

Bounce Back Loan Scheme and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 17 September (HL7806), whether they have reconsidered their decision to not publish the identity of recipients of loans taken out under (1) the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and (2) the Bounce Back Loan Scheme; and on what grounds, if any, they have reconsidered.

Lord Callanan: Details of individual aid awards under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Bounce Back Loan Scheme will be published where required on the European Commission’s Transparency Aid Module in due course.

Bounce Back Loan Scheme and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 17 September (HL7806), when they expect to publish the identity of recipients of loans taken out under (1) theCoronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and (2) the Bounce Back Loan Scheme; and under what conditions they would publish such information.

Lord Callanan: Details of individual aid awards under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Bounce Back Loan Scheme will be published where required on the European Commission’s Transparency Aid Module in due course.

Climate Change Convention

Baroness Boycott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that sponsors and other organisations involved with COP26 are demonstrably committed to tackling climate change; and what criteria they intend to use to assess that commitment.

Lord Callanan: The Government has set strict sponsorship criteria for COP26 and will only partner with companies who have committed to or set net-zero commitments by 2050 or earlier, and have a credible and aligned short-term action plan to achieve this. We conduct due diligence on all potential sponsors, and ensure compliance with our standards. The Government is encouraging companies with strong climate credentials to apply for sponsorship through the COP26 website.

Climate Change Convention

Baroness Boycott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the vetting process will be for organisations applying to host COP26 fringe meetings and events; and what plans they have to publish that process.

Lord Callanan: We are looking to work and partner with organisations committed to taking positive action to tackle climate change. We will be launching a registration process for organisations wanting to be involved in UK Government managed events around COP26 in the new year. The process is currently under development and further detail will be released in due course.

Accountancy: Standards

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 24 September (HL8051), what progress they have made on formingan agreement with the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation; and when preparations for any such agreement began.

Lord Callanan: The Government has reached an agreement with the IFRS Foundation to publish a consolidated text of UK-adopted international accounting standards and the agreement will be signed shortly. The Government began preparations for an agreement in January 2019.

UK Endorsement Board

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the role of the UK Endorsement Board in insurance accounting;what authority the Board has to exercise its functions; what is the composition of the Board; and how the Board is funded.

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK Endorsement Board will be provided with publicly available legal advice to deliver the required endorsement criteria for the adoption of International Accounting Standards; and what processes they have in place to ensure that this advice will be free from conflicts of interest.

Lord Callanan: We intend to lay an SI in early 2021 that will delegate certain functions in the International Accounting Standards and European Public Limited-Liability Company (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (‘the 2019 Regulations’), including powers to endorse and adopt International Accounting Standards, to the UK Accounting Standards Endorsement Board (UK EB). This includes International Accounting Standards (such as IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts) that relate to insurance. Following the appointment of the Chair, we are now preparing to recruit Board Members. We intend that membership of the Board will include preparers of accounts, investors and other users of accounts, academics and members of accounting firms. This will ensure that the UK EB brings a broad range of experience, backgrounds and expertise to the consideration of International Accounting Standards. The UK EB will undertake its activities in a transparent manner, and it will be required both to consult before adopting an international standard and to publish the reasons for its decision to adopt an International Accounting Standard in whole or in part. The statutory criteria for adoption are set out in the 2019 Regulations. The UK EB will obtain independent advice when necessary and all Board Members will be required to abide by a conflicts of interests policy.

Accountancy: Standards

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 24 September (HL8051), what is the proposed fee payable to the International Accounting Standards Board; and how that fee will be funded.

Lord Callanan: The fee payable to the IFRS foundation is commercially sensitive and falls below the public disclosure threshold. The Government believes that the agreement with the IFRS Foundation reflects good value for money due to the wide use and acceptance of IFRS amongst the major financial capitals across the world, and the fact that the Standards promote transparency and investment. The agreement also ensures that the UK will be able to continue to influence the independent, not-for-profit, global standard setting body, to ensure that Standards meet the needs of UK companies and investors. The inaugural fee will be funded by Government and our intention is that future payments will come from the FRC’s general levy on preparers of accounts.

Ministry of Justice

Protection: Court Orders

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to adopt the European Union Protection Measures Regulation (606/2013) into domestic law.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by the Government ensures the EU ‘Protection Measures Regulation’ (606/2013) will continue to apply to protection measures in both the UK and EU Member States where a certificate is issued before the end of the transition period. In relation to protection measures where certificates are issued after the end of the transition period, the Mutual Recognition of Protection Measures in Civil Matters (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 493 of 2019) provides that an incoming protection measure from an EU Member State shall continue to be recognised and will be enforceable in England and Wales and Northern Ireland. However, the instrument also removes the ability for the courts of England and Wales and Northern Ireland to issue an outgoing certificate, which is required for recognition and enforcement in an EU Member State under the Protection Measures Regulation. This is because we cannot legislate unilaterally to restore the reciprocity of approach, without which the court of an EU Member State could simply ignore protection measures issued by courts in the UK. These issues are devolved to Scotland. I understand the Scottish Government is considering its position.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Independent Commission for Aid Impact: Reviews

Lord Bruce of Bennachie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage (1) stakeholders of, and (2) users of reports by, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact to contribute to the review of that Commission’s role; whether that review will consider any views submitted after 11 November; what plans they have to invite a member of the House of Commons International Development Committee to be a member of the team conducting the review; whether they plan to seek external challenge to the outcome of the review; and if so, by whom.

Baroness Sugg: The Review Team has published Terms of Reference for the Review of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact and sought feedback from the public. They have also asked for written information from a range of stakeholders; and are conducting a series of interviews and roundtables. The Review Team will consider written views from members of the public until 11 November.This is an internal departmental review. The International Development Committee is being consulted and there will be a small panel of independent experts to provide challenge to the review.

Poverty

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will continue to target UK aid to the poorest countries and people.

Baroness Sugg: Reducing poverty will be at the beating heart of the FCDO. The Foreign Secretary has appointed Nick Dyer as the first ever envoy on famine prevention and humanitarian affairs, and we have allocated a new £119 million package to look at the threat of the coronavirus and of famine more generally across the bottom billion.

Poverty

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is retaining the Department for International Development's commitment to maintaining poverty reduction as the primary objective of UK spending.

Baroness Sugg: The Government will prioritise the bottom billion, the very poorest around the world, as part of our core mission. This is in our national interest and it will project the UK as a force for good in the world. For example, during the coronavirus pandemic, the UK has provided £15 million to UNICEF to protect vulnerable children, and a further £5 million to the Education Cannot Wait fund, supporting emergency education in conflict countries. Furthermore, the UK has allocated £119 million of aid to provide relief to over 6 million people and help prevent famine in countries hit by conflict and COVID-19.

Gender: Disability

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is retaining the Department for International Development's (1) commitment to 'leave no one behind', and (2) strategies on gender and disability.

Baroness Sugg: Leaving no-one behind is an essential element of the mission of the FCDO, alongside building shared global prosperity, eradicating extreme poverty, tackling climate change, strengthening the international rule of law and global security, and promoting universal human rights and free, open societies.As part of the creation of FCDO as a new Department we are refreshing and building on existing strategies, as well as developing new approaches where appropriate. We do not see the core ambitions of the Strategic Vision for Gender Equality nor the Disability Inclusion Strategy changing. Advancing gender equality and women's and girls' rights are a core part of this Government's mission, including fulfilling every girl's right to 12 years of quality education. The advancement of the inclusion of persons with disabilities is as important now as when the strategy was published in 2018 - the new department will strive to ensure the aims of the strategy are realised. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to these agendas.

Palestinians: Food

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the statement by the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East that "people are going through the garbage" for food in Gaza, and(2) the case for increasing the funding of that agency for the provision of food aid.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK remains concerned about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza. We are a longstanding supporter to UNRWA and in 2020/2021 we are providing £51 million to support UNRWA to provide essential services to the 5.6 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. £1 million of this is specifically for food aid in Gaza.In addition to our support to UNRWA for the refugee population, the UK is providing £2.5 million to the World Food Programme to provide food and cash assistance for some of the most vulnerable Palestinians, mainly in Gaza.

Department for Work and Pensions

Kickstart Scheme

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to extend the eligibility criteria for applications to the Kickstart Scheme.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. Guidance on eligibility has been published on the gov.uk/kickstart website. As of the 11th November 2020 we have received 4,359 applications and 19,672 Kickstart placements have been approved; we will keep the eligibility for the scheme under review, but have no current plans to extend it.

Remote Working: Coronavirus

Lord McKenzie of Luton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what safety advice and guidance they have made available for individuals who (1) choose, and (2) are required, to work from home.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, all employers are under a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. This duty extends to those working from home, either temporarily or permanently. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on its website for employers and home workers (https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/workers/home.htm). The guidance covers all workers who work from home and includes information on working alone, working without supervision, ways to keep in touch and guidance on mental health, stress and wellbeing. It also covers practical guidance on setting up workstations, display screen equipment (DSE) and how to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. The DSE guidance is intended to provide a flexible, proportionate and pragmatic approach for employers and employees on managing low-risk activities during a time when the Government advice is for people to work from home where it is possible to do so. The HSE guidance emphasises the need for employers to keep health and safety arrangements for home working under review.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Convention On International Trade in Endangered Species

The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Liverpool will be included within the list of ports designated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Liverpool Seaforth port will be designated as a Point of Entry and Exit (PoE) for CITES- listed specimens at the end of the Transition Period.We will continue to work with port operators, industry and other Government departments such as Border Force, HM Revenue & Customs and Cabinet Office to analyse trade flows and will designate further PoE where this is feasible so as to provide additional routes for traders.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species: Musical Instruments

The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to amend the musical instrument certificate application form FED0172 to remove the obligation to provide the owner’s details; and, if so, what procedure will be required to do so.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We do not have immediate plans to amend the musical instrument certificate (MIC) application form to remove the obligation to provide details of the owner of the instrument. However, we will keep this under review and will be discussing the need for additional guidance on how to apply for a MIC with stakeholders from the sector.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species: Musical Instruments

The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce procedures for the inspection of materials protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora when transporting musical instruments between Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: After the Transition Period, controls implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will apply to the movement of CITES specimens between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI). This is as a result of our international obligations under CITES, and the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Such movement between NI and GB will require CITES documentation, for example import and export permits or a Musical Instrument Certificate. All CITES specimens must be moved through a designated point of entry and exit where documentation must be presented for endorsement by Border Force officials. As a result of the NI Protocol, NI will be treated as part of the EU’s customs territory and the permits and checks usually required under CITES will not be required for movements between NI and EU Member States.

Oak Processionary Moth

Lord Framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the incidence of oak processionary moth in the UKin 2020to date.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Forestry Commission has an annual programme of surveillance in place. This year, the Commission has enhanced its surveillance programme within the UK Protected Zone as a precaution in response to an increased number of intercepts of Oak Processionary Moth in 2019.Oak Processionary Moth is established in most of Greater London and in some surrounding counties. In June and July 2020, it was found on a very small number of trees at five sites within the Protected Zone, in the English counties of Sussex, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cheshire. Swift action was undertaken to eradicate recent findings, including surveillance, tracing work and the removal of caterpillars and infested trees.

Plants: Imports

Lord Framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to tighten the rules governing importation of trees and shrubs after 31 December.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: From January 2021, trees, shrubs and other plants entering Great Britain from the EU will be subject to third country import requirements. Controls on the highest risk products from the EU will apply immediately following the end of the transition period. This includes requirements to pre-notify, the need for a phytosanitary certificate to accompany regulated consignments and physical inspections on imports once they have arrived in Great Britain. It is already the case that imports of regulated plants and plant products from non-EU countries are subject to import controls.The UK intends to ensure that its Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regime remains appropriate to address the risks it faces. The UK plant health services already conduct risk-based checks at the border in relation to imports from non-EU countries. The checks undertaken are determined according to an assessment of the risk presented by the import of different plants and goods from different origins. This risk assessment and risk management approach will apply to SPS goods from the EU from 1 January 2021.For plants (including trees and shrubs) and plant products, a common import regime will ultimately apply to all third countries, so any changes will apply equally to EU and non-EU countries. Notwithstanding the phasing in of controls, any changes to GB's import requirements from the end of the transition period will apply to all third countries (including the EU).Defra, with the devolved administrations, actively monitors and reviews plant health risks and the government will respond as needed to ensure UK biosecurity continues to be protected.

Cabinet Office

Asia: Intelligence Services

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the comment on 14 October by the Director General of MI5 that MI5 is "looking to do more against Chinese activity",what representations they intend to make to theother members of the Five Eyes alliance on the possibility of including additional countries geographically close to China, and in particular (1) India, (2) Japan, (3) Taiwan, and (4) South Korea, in that alliance.

Lord True: The UK works closely with partners across the world and through a range of formal and informal multilateral fora, including the UN, the G7 and G20, NATO, Five Eyes and the E3. We strongly value our long-standing relationship with our Five Eyes partners and will continue to work closely with them in pursuit of shared policy interests.

Operation Mincemeat

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the files 'CAB93/7' relating to Operation Mincemeat are (1) still held in 10 Downing Street, (2) available for viewing, and (3) if so, under what conditions.

Lord True: The Cabinet Office holds the original CAB 93/7, it contains no material related to Operation Mincemeat. A version is held by The National Archives (TNA). Consultation of the volume held by TNA would need to be made by appointment, a service currently suspended owing to national restrictions. Details of how to arrange a visit are available here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/visit-us/

Coronavirus: Mortality Rates

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the fatality rate from COVID-19 is among (1) individuals with a residence permit with the condition of no recourse to public funds, and(2) individuals who are not subject to the residency condition of no recourse to public funds.

Lord True: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.  Dear Lady Bennett, As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking what the fatality rate from COVID-19 is among (1) individuals with a residence permit with the condition of no recourse to public funds, and (2) individuals who are not subject to the residency condition of no recourse to public funds (HL9704).The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes statistics on deaths in England and Wales. Mortality statistics are based on the information provided by doctors and coroners through death registration, which focuses on the causes of death and does not include all the circumstances of the deceased. We are unable to provide figures related to residency status. Yours sincerely,Professor Sir Ian Diamond

Treasury

Musical Instruments: Customs

The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be the threshold number of (1) musical instruments, and (2) other related equipment, at which the holder will be required to purchase an ATA carnet for temporary export and import.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The current process for ATA Carnets with convention countries outside the EU will apply to relevant imports and exports with the EU at the end of the transition period. This means that from January 2021, ATA Carnets will become one of the options available to both businesses and individuals when temporarily moving goods between the UK and EU countries. Use of an ATA Carnet is optional and is a commercial decision on whether it is the most cost-effective method in each specific circumstance. There is no specific threshold for the use of an ATA Carnet. In the UK, ATA Carnets are administered by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). Further information on obtaining and using an ATA Carnet can be found by contacting the LCCI.

Bank Services: Interest Rates

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they haveto investigate the socioeconomic consequences for consumers of banks charging negative real interest rates.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government believes that individuals, regardless of their background or income, should have access to useful and affordable financial products and services. The independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England sets the Bank Rate to meet the objectives set out in its remit of maintaining price stability and subject to this, supporting the economic policy of the Government, including its objectives for growth and employment. The MPC is sensitive to the effect of low interest rates on savers and does consider the effect monetary policy decisions have on all households. Commercial banks make commercial judgements that influence the degree of pass-through from changes in Bank Rate into retail interest rates, with conditions in financial markets and in the banking sector also influencing interest rates paid on deposits or charged for lending. The Government does not seek to intervene in these commercial decisions.

Infrastructure: Rural Areas

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their decision to launch aone-year Spending Review,whether theirmulti-year capital allocation for priority infrastructure projects includes projects in rural areas, in particular (1) the Community Housing Fund, especially for rural affordable housing schemes, and (2) the Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: While it would not be appropriate to respond in detail on plans for the Comprehensive Spending Review at this time, the Government recognises that village halls provide vital hubs for communities to connect, collaborate and celebrate, and that the community-led housing sector offers significant potential for helping to meet housing need across England in rural and urban areas.

Digital Technology: VAT

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have collected data on the number of businesses prepared for the ending of access to the VAT MOSS system on 31 December; and what plans they have to seek an extension of access to VAT MOSS for UK businesses.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: VAT MOSS is an EU simplification. The UK will lose access to this at the end of the transition period and will not be seeking an extension. There are approximately 2,000 UK businesses registered on the VAT MOSS system in the UK. Businesses can continue to use the VAT MOSS system if they register in an EU Member State after the transition period. HMRC have published guidance on this and will also be contacting all businesses registered on the VAT MOSS system in the UK to explain the options available to them.[1] [1] The guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-vat-when-you-sell-digital-services-to-eu-consumers-from-1-january-2021

Labour Market: Coronavirus

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Resolution Foundation Jobs, jobs, jobs; evaluating the effects of the current economic crisis in the UK labour market, published on 27 October.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government considers the findings and views from a wide range of organisations, including the Resolution Foundation. The UK, along with many other countries around the world, has experienced a severe recession caused by coronavirus. In response, the Government has increased the support available to protect jobs and support businesses. To support those in employment, the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will remain open until December, with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500. To support young people, the Government launched a £2 billion Kickstart Scheme, creating hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people at risk of long-term unemployment, as well as a guaranteed foundation of support for young people on Universal Credit.

Orchestras: Tax Allowances

Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to amend the scope of the Orchestra Tax Relief to include digital-only performances.

Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to temporarily increase the percentage claimable under Orchestra Tax Relief for the 2021/22 tax year.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: In 2019-2020 the Government provided £18 million of support to 565 orchestral productions through the Orchestra Tax Relief. While all tax reliefs are kept under review, the Government is not planning changes to the Orchestra Tax Relief at this time. The Government has provided support to the cultural sector during the pandemic through the £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund. To date, £409 million in grant funding has been awarded to over 2,000 cultural organisations in England, including orchestras, music venues, galleries, theatres, museums and festivals. The Government has also extended the temporary reduced VAT rate for hospitality and tourism to 31 March 2021. This will continue to apply to admission to attractions across the UK, including concerts, theatres, exhibitions and similar events.

Save as You Earn

Lord Flight: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of bad leavers from Save As You Earn schemes in each of the last five years.

Lord Flight: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the total value of savings held by bad leavers participating in Save As You Earn schemes, before they exited, in each of the last five years.

Lord Flight: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the total value forfeited in share growth as a result of participants in Save As You Earnschemes exiting as bad leavers in each of the last five years.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Save As You Earn (SAYE) scheme is a tax-advantaged employee share scheme offered by the Government. A “bad leaver” from a SAYE scheme is a participant that does not meet the good leaver provisions as defined in the legislation at paragraph 34 of Schedule 3 to the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003. HMRC collects data at the points at which employees enter or leave SAYE schemes but this does not directly include data on “bad leavers”.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Veterans: Charities

Lord Walney: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of reduced fundraising for armed forces charities during the COVID-19 pandemic, what additional measuresthey are taking to enable such charities to deliver support for veterans.

Baroness Barran: Government is committed to making the UK the best country in the world to be a veteran.Every year it provides £10 million to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, which distributes this as grants to charitable organisations through a range of programmes. This year we have provided an additional £6 million for 100 service charities through the Covid Relief fund, to ensure they can continue to provide their vital services throughout the pandemic. Furthermore, through the Loneliness Covid-19 Fund, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen And Families Association has been provided with a grant of £500,000 to support veterans and their families experiencing loneliness throughout the UK.Charities are also able to apply to access the additional financial support provided through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Charities can also apply to receive up to £3,000 a month through the Local Restrictions Support Grant if an organisation’s premises is forced to close.